• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Partnering with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the south to defend and advance their political, social and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing and communications.

  • Home
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Employment Opportunities
  • News
  • Programs
    • Voting Rights
      • News
      • Featured Cases
      • Resources
    • Justice System Reform
      • News
      • Featured Cases
      • Resources
    • Youth Justice Project
      • News
      • Resources
  • Resources
    • Make a Voting Plan: North Carolina
    • Make a Voting Plan: National
    • #MyVoteMyVoice
    • Early Voting Advocacy 2020
    • Videos
    • Reports
    • Infographics
    • SCSJ-led Projects
  • SCSJ Monthly Digest
  • Contact
  • Donate

Search Southern Coalition for Social Justice

What’s at Stake: Daniel Smith

Focus Area: Voting RightsResource Type: Video

Daniel Earl Smith has lived in Concord, North Carolina for five years now, and has been a regular voter ever since moving to the state from Pennsylvania. He runs his own courier and delivery business. Daniel has five children ranging from ages thirteen to twenty-three. Daniel’s wife is the member of the family that keeps up with politics the most, but Daniel’s experience voting in 2016 when a voter ID requirement was in place has motivated him to speak out against voter ID laws.

In 2016, like all North Carolina drivers have to do from time to time, Daniel had to get a new driver’s license because his old license expired. He went to the DMV and obtained a new license. However, his replacement license had to be mailed to him. The DMV gave him a temporary paper license to use until he received the official replacement. The temporary license included his name, address and a photo of his face. On Election Day, Daniel only had this temporary license, not his replacement license. Because the temporary license was not acceptable ID under the voter ID law, Daniel was forced to cast a provisional ballot. Unfortunately, his vote was not counted. Aware of the struggles African Americans faced throughout history to give him the right to vote, he was disappointed and embarrassed by the ordeal. This is why Daniel is standing up today urging that North Carolinians vote against this Voter ID proposed amendment.

Of the millions of North Carolina driver’s licenses issued in this state, approximately 750,000 driver’s licenses expire and need renewing every year. Many North Carolina voters like Daniel, who may be without ID, could be denied their fundamental right to vote if the Voter ID Amendment is approved in November, giving the legislature a blank check to enact a restrictive photo ID requirement for voting.

Last Updated: June 19, 2019

Footer

Contact

1415 West Highway 54, Suite 101
Durham, NC 27707
info@southerncoalition.org
office: 919-323-3380
fax: 919-323-3942
Map

Key Links

About
Donate
Most Recent 990
Staff
Board

The Latest

The right of all citizens to vote free from discrimination is at the heart of America’s vibrant democracy. In #BrnovichvDNC, #SCOTUS should affirm that there’s no place for racism in our elections by striking down Arizona’s racially discriminatory voting laws. #ProtectOurVote pic.twitter.com/s384…

Yesterday

Lawmakers at the state and federal levels have advanced legislation to roll back policies with racist origins that #disenfranchise people with criminal convictions. Read more in this analysis piece from @BrennanCenter: bit.ly/3uxe73k #VotingRights

Yesterday

In the wake of a summer of protests against police brutality, the midst of an ongoing pandemic, and the aftermath of a contentious election, @UNCPPD hosted a panel on what #racialjustice looks like – and how it might be achieved – in the 21st century. bit.ly/3pZ02Z5

Yesterday

REMINDER: This event is TOMORROW! Don't miss out - register today! twitter.com/scsj/sta…

Yesterday

"For the first time since 1965, congressional, state, and local government legislative districts will be drawn without the key protections of the Voting Rights Act." Read why we need to protect & expand access to the #vote, especially for voters of color. bit.ly/3aQFOfD

About 2 days ago

Follow @scsj
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Copyright © 2021 Southern Coalition for Social Justice · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design